Captain's Log
USS Xerxes
Stardate 1008.31
We had just crossed into Klingon territory when all of our controls and equipment suddenly became too hot to handle. Seconds later, we received a transmission, claiming to come from the Organians, that essentially said that the war was over before it started, and that a peace treaty had been imposed. Moments later, we found our equipment returned to normal. We can only assume that both sides have agreed to the terms imposed by the Organians.
Nobody wants a war, particularly the Federation. But I don't take orders from the Organians. My orders say that I am to investigate the Archer system, and the MZ-5 outpost. There is also the close proximity of the K't'inga system. Regardless of what the Organians say, my mission stands. I'm still in a communications blackout that won't be lifted until I return from my mission. If the Klingons are observing the ceas-fire, we'll be in and out quickly. If they aren't, they'll find out just what the Xerxes can do.
What is Fantasy Trek?
Not Just a Game. It's a Star Trek Experience
http://fantasytrek.blogspot.com
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Monday, October 27, 2008
Fantasy Trek for the Palm m505
Took me long enough, but I've finished the play-through of a Fed CA versus a Romulan CA on the memo pad feature on the Palm m505. Simple tactical map, heavy combat template, and text SSD's. A bit more awkward, switching between the memo pad and the dice roller app, but not much more than having to stop to roll dice. Funny that the most primitive of the collection is the only one that runs all aspects of the single-player game. Again, simple and low-tech has always been the goal. I mean, don't you hate getting a new game and finding out you need a new computer to run it?
So here's how it went
A=Fed Heavy Cruiser
B=Rom Heavy Cruiser
A) Roll [11]
A ) Reaction Movement/Position [speed 1]/[range 15/3 A fore/star to B fore/star]
A) Countermeasures/Reinforce shields []
A) Target Selection (General or Specific) Fire weapons []
B) Roll [6]
B) Reaction Movement/Position [speed 1]/[range 15/3 B fore/star to A fore/star]
B) Countermeasures/Reinforce shields []
B) Target Selection (General or Specific) Fire weapons [1/4 charge plasma]
Result
A) Roll [9]
A) Reaction Movement/Position [speed 2]/range 15/3 A fore/star to B fore/star]
A) Countermeasures/Reinforce shields []
A) Target Selection (General or Specific) Fire weapons []
B) Roll [6]
B) Reaction Movement/Position []/[range 13/3 B fore/star to A fore/star]
B) Countermeasures/Reinforce shields []
B) Target Selection (General or Specific) Fire weapons [charge plasma 2/4]
Result
A) Roll [11]
A) Reaction Movement/Position [speed 3]/[range 10/3 A fore/star to B fore/star]
A) Countermeasures/Reinforce shields []
A) Target Selection (B Fore shield) Fire weapons [photon 5 (10)phasers 10(5)]
B) Roll [4]
B) Reaction Movement/Position [speed 1]/[range 10/3 B fore/star to A fore/star]
B) Countermeasures/Reinforce shields [2(1) ECM]
B) Target Selection (General or Specific) Fire weapons [3/4 charge plasma]
Result
A: undamaged
B: 14/21 damage fore shields
A) Roll [11]
A) Reaction Movement/Position [speed 4]/[range 6/3 A fore/star to B fore/star]
A) Countermeasures/Reinforce shields []
A) Target Selection (General or Specific) Fire weapons [10(40) phasers B fore]
B) Roll [9]
B) Reaction Movement/Position[speed 0]/[range 6/3 B fore/star to A fore/star]
B) Countermeasures/Reinforce shields [8(4) ECM]
B) Target Selection (General or Specific) Fire weapons [4/4 charge plasma]
Result
A: undamaged
B: 36 points damage:
Romulan CA destroyed
Lessons learned:
As the Romulan, I should have entered the battlefield cloaked. I would not have known if my opponent was experienced enough to flash-detect me. If I was cloaked, he could have flash-detected me and taken me out quickly. If he wasn't able to flash-detect me, I could have waited and charged up my cloak, and pulled a devastating first strike with the plasma. Measuring the possibilities, maybe I was right to chance having my opponent capable of flash-detecting, and not giving him the chance to by-pass my shields with a shot while I was cloaked. So maybe that wasn't a tactical error. If the flash-detect continues to upset the cloak balance, I'll revisit it. Maybe make that flash-detect rule a 50/50 shot. I'll keep it in mind.
As the Federation ship, I learned that the best cloak defense is a strong phaser/photon offense, as well as speed. It is possible to outrun a plasma torpedo, and it does take four turns to charge.
What is Fantasy Trek?
More Than Just a Game. It's a Star Trek Experience
http://fantasytrek.blogspot.com
So here's how it went
A=Fed Heavy Cruiser
B=Rom Heavy Cruiser
A) Roll [11]
A ) Reaction Movement/Position [speed 1]/[range 15/3 A fore/star to B fore/star]
A) Countermeasures/Reinforce shields []
A) Target Selection (General or Specific) Fire weapons []
B) Roll [6]
B) Reaction Movement/Position [speed 1]/[range 15/3 B fore/star to A fore/star]
B) Countermeasures/Reinforce shields []
B) Target Selection (General or Specific) Fire weapons [1/4 charge plasma]
Result
A) Roll [9]
A) Reaction Movement/Position [speed 2]/range 15/3 A fore/star to B fore/star]
A) Countermeasures/Reinforce shields []
A) Target Selection (General or Specific) Fire weapons []
B) Roll [6]
B) Reaction Movement/Position []/[range 13/3 B fore/star to A fore/star]
B) Countermeasures/Reinforce shields []
B) Target Selection (General or Specific) Fire weapons [charge plasma 2/4]
Result
A) Roll [11]
A) Reaction Movement/Position [speed 3]/[range 10/3 A fore/star to B fore/star]
A) Countermeasures/Reinforce shields []
A) Target Selection (B Fore shield) Fire weapons [photon 5 (10)phasers 10(5)]
B) Roll [4]
B) Reaction Movement/Position [speed 1]/[range 10/3 B fore/star to A fore/star]
B) Countermeasures/Reinforce shields [2(1) ECM]
B) Target Selection (General or Specific) Fire weapons [3/4 charge plasma]
Result
A: undamaged
B: 14/21 damage fore shields
A) Roll [11]
A) Reaction Movement/Position [speed 4]/[range 6/3 A fore/star to B fore/star]
A) Countermeasures/Reinforce shields []
A) Target Selection (General or Specific) Fire weapons [10(40) phasers B fore]
B) Roll [9]
B) Reaction Movement/Position[speed 0]/[range 6/3 B fore/star to A fore/star]
B) Countermeasures/Reinforce shields [8(4) ECM]
B) Target Selection (General or Specific) Fire weapons [4/4 charge plasma]
Result
A: undamaged
B: 36 points damage:
Romulan CA destroyed
Lessons learned:
As the Romulan, I should have entered the battlefield cloaked. I would not have known if my opponent was experienced enough to flash-detect me. If I was cloaked, he could have flash-detected me and taken me out quickly. If he wasn't able to flash-detect me, I could have waited and charged up my cloak, and pulled a devastating first strike with the plasma. Measuring the possibilities, maybe I was right to chance having my opponent capable of flash-detecting, and not giving him the chance to by-pass my shields with a shot while I was cloaked. So maybe that wasn't a tactical error. If the flash-detect continues to upset the cloak balance, I'll revisit it. Maybe make that flash-detect rule a 50/50 shot. I'll keep it in mind.
As the Federation ship, I learned that the best cloak defense is a strong phaser/photon offense, as well as speed. It is possible to outrun a plasma torpedo, and it does take four turns to charge.
What is Fantasy Trek?
More Than Just a Game. It's a Star Trek Experience
http://fantasytrek.blogspot.com
Summary of Events Stardate 1008.27
Summary of Events
Stardate 1008.27
TNG Era:
USS Guadalcanal has diverted to Ocampa and found USS Exeter in orbit, alongside Kazon heavy cruiser. Exeter captain Reggie Farrell reports substantial progress in diplomatic overture with Kazon Ogla First Maje Jabin. Federation ambassador Endara Khan reports that humanitarian aid in the form of primitive protein resequencers, in order to provide potable water and basic food needs from base matter, will be sufficient to secure an initial non-aggression treaty, with an opportunity for more cooperation in the future. The Guadalcanal will provide twelve resequencers to First Maje Jabin.
QeylIs Mindu' Assault Fleet was spotted on outskirts of Durandal system. It cloaked almost immediately and refused to answer hails. Galaxy class USS Frank Houghton is operating at continual yello alert status.
TOS Era:
Klingon incursion centering on Organia has been stopped, and peace treaty imposed on Klingon Empire and United Federation of Planets by native non-corporeal, energy-based Organian natives. USS Enterprise has been released from duty on Organia, and Klingon vessels have returned to their side of the border. USS Xerxes, assigned to covert operations behind Klingon lines, has not broken radio silence.
What Are Your Orders, Captain?
#1 "Chokepoint"
(Moderator's Note: There are no predetermined right or wrong answers. The most popular solution will give the players who chose it a "Command College Point". Ten of those equal an experience point. Think of it as a correspondence course while onboard ship. Answer via the 'comment' feature)
Here's the first one....
When the Klingons briefly withdrew from the Khitomer Accords, the Galaxy Class USS Agamemnon was caught in a dangerous situation while on a purely scientific mission in the Archer system. The Agamemnon was investigating a previously uncharted asteroid field, and was in the dense center of the field when it received a challenge from at least three cloaked Klingon vessels of unknown class. The 'challenge' promised to blanket the field with photon torpedoes (resulting in almost certain destruction of the starship) if the Captain didn't surrender immediately.
What complicated the situation was the fact that the Agamemnon was unable to scan with any reliability through or beyond the field, and the only passage out of the field was a narrow chokepoint that would take five minutes to navigate. That was the obvious exit point, and odds are the Klingons knew that.
Once the Agamemnon has cleared the field, it can warp out of the system and try to rejoin friendly forces. In the meantime, it needs to find out what's waiting for it beyond the chokepoint.
Executive Officer Commander Simon Ranier quickly assesses the situation and offers two possible choices:
1) Send an armed shuttle through the chokepoint with an advanced sensor program as the Agamemnon follows closely behind. This will get the ship out of the field quickly, but would put the ship in the middle of an undefined situation.
2) Launch a probe through the chokepoint in order to assess the situation before exposing the ship to attack. The problem with this is that the Agamemnon would have to wait five minutes to see what lies beyond the chokepoint.
Your mission is to choose (and briefly explain) what you think is the best course of action, or suggest an alternate course of action. What are your orders, Captain?
What is Fantasy Trek?
Not Just a Game. It's a Star Trek Experience
http://fantasytrek.blogspot.com
Stardate 1008.27
TNG Era:
USS Guadalcanal has diverted to Ocampa and found USS Exeter in orbit, alongside Kazon heavy cruiser. Exeter captain Reggie Farrell reports substantial progress in diplomatic overture with Kazon Ogla First Maje Jabin. Federation ambassador Endara Khan reports that humanitarian aid in the form of primitive protein resequencers, in order to provide potable water and basic food needs from base matter, will be sufficient to secure an initial non-aggression treaty, with an opportunity for more cooperation in the future. The Guadalcanal will provide twelve resequencers to First Maje Jabin.
QeylIs Mindu' Assault Fleet was spotted on outskirts of Durandal system. It cloaked almost immediately and refused to answer hails. Galaxy class USS Frank Houghton is operating at continual yello alert status.
TOS Era:
Klingon incursion centering on Organia has been stopped, and peace treaty imposed on Klingon Empire and United Federation of Planets by native non-corporeal, energy-based Organian natives. USS Enterprise has been released from duty on Organia, and Klingon vessels have returned to their side of the border. USS Xerxes, assigned to covert operations behind Klingon lines, has not broken radio silence.
What Are Your Orders, Captain?
#1 "Chokepoint"
(Moderator's Note: There are no predetermined right or wrong answers. The most popular solution will give the players who chose it a "Command College Point". Ten of those equal an experience point. Think of it as a correspondence course while onboard ship. Answer via the 'comment' feature)
Here's the first one....
When the Klingons briefly withdrew from the Khitomer Accords, the Galaxy Class USS Agamemnon was caught in a dangerous situation while on a purely scientific mission in the Archer system. The Agamemnon was investigating a previously uncharted asteroid field, and was in the dense center of the field when it received a challenge from at least three cloaked Klingon vessels of unknown class. The 'challenge' promised to blanket the field with photon torpedoes (resulting in almost certain destruction of the starship) if the Captain didn't surrender immediately.
What complicated the situation was the fact that the Agamemnon was unable to scan with any reliability through or beyond the field, and the only passage out of the field was a narrow chokepoint that would take five minutes to navigate. That was the obvious exit point, and odds are the Klingons knew that.
Once the Agamemnon has cleared the field, it can warp out of the system and try to rejoin friendly forces. In the meantime, it needs to find out what's waiting for it beyond the chokepoint.
Executive Officer Commander Simon Ranier quickly assesses the situation and offers two possible choices:
1) Send an armed shuttle through the chokepoint with an advanced sensor program as the Agamemnon follows closely behind. This will get the ship out of the field quickly, but would put the ship in the middle of an undefined situation.
2) Launch a probe through the chokepoint in order to assess the situation before exposing the ship to attack. The problem with this is that the Agamemnon would have to wait five minutes to see what lies beyond the chokepoint.
Your mission is to choose (and briefly explain) what you think is the best course of action, or suggest an alternate course of action. What are your orders, Captain?
What is Fantasy Trek?
Not Just a Game. It's a Star Trek Experience
http://fantasytrek.blogspot.com
Saturday, October 25, 2008
Experience Points
One experience point rewarded for:
• Five Heavy Combat engagements or
• Ten Basic Combat engagements or
• Five post-length (100+ words each) log entries
• Ten successful (your assessment matches the majority assessment) "What Are Your Orders, Captain?'" exercises
Five Points= "Experienced"
Ten Points= "Veteran"
Twenty-Five Points= "Elite"
Fifty Points= "Legendary"
Rewards for Experience Points:
"Experienced"
• Heavy Combat: Five 'Hero Points'*/Flash-Detect cloaked vessel with 10 sensor points
• Basic Combat: Initial five points extra
• Ground Combat: Extra d6 roll added to ranks
• Non-Combat: One extra ship of Light Cruiser or lower class
"Veteran"
• Heavy Combat: Seven "Hero Points"*/Flash-Detect cloaked vessel with 10 sensor points
• Basic Combat: Initial seven points extra
• Ground Combat: Extra 2d6 rolls added to ranks
• Non-Combat: One extra ship of equal or lower class
"Elite"
• Heavy Combat: Ten "Hero Points"*/Flash-Detect cloaked vessel with 10 sensor points
• Basic Combat: Initial ten points extra
• Ground Combat: Extra 3d6 roll added to ranks
• Non-Combat: Two extra ships of equal or lower class
"Legendary"
• Heavy Combat: Fifteen "Hero Points"*/Flash-Detect cloaked vessel with 10 sensor points
• Basic Combat: Initial fifteen points extra
• Ground Combat: Extra 5d6 roll added to ranks
• Non-Combat: Freedom to create as many ships as you can handle
• Game-wide access to contributing/editing scenarios
• Moderator status consideration
*"hero point"= one opportunity to turn faster, repair a system quicker by one turn, restore a shield box in a single turn.
What is Fantasy Trek?
Not Just a Game. It's a Star Trek Experience
http://fantasytrek.blogspot.com
• Five Heavy Combat engagements or
• Ten Basic Combat engagements or
• Five post-length (100+ words each) log entries
• Ten successful (your assessment matches the majority assessment) "What Are Your Orders, Captain?'" exercises
Five Points= "Experienced"
Ten Points= "Veteran"
Twenty-Five Points= "Elite"
Fifty Points= "Legendary"
Rewards for Experience Points:
"Experienced"
• Heavy Combat: Five 'Hero Points'*/Flash-Detect cloaked vessel with 10 sensor points
• Basic Combat: Initial five points extra
• Ground Combat: Extra d6 roll added to ranks
• Non-Combat: One extra ship of Light Cruiser or lower class
"Veteran"
• Heavy Combat: Seven "Hero Points"*/Flash-Detect cloaked vessel with 10 sensor points
• Basic Combat: Initial seven points extra
• Ground Combat: Extra 2d6 rolls added to ranks
• Non-Combat: One extra ship of equal or lower class
"Elite"
• Heavy Combat: Ten "Hero Points"*/Flash-Detect cloaked vessel with 10 sensor points
• Basic Combat: Initial ten points extra
• Ground Combat: Extra 3d6 roll added to ranks
• Non-Combat: Two extra ships of equal or lower class
"Legendary"
• Heavy Combat: Fifteen "Hero Points"*/Flash-Detect cloaked vessel with 10 sensor points
• Basic Combat: Initial fifteen points extra
• Ground Combat: Extra 5d6 roll added to ranks
• Non-Combat: Freedom to create as many ships as you can handle
• Game-wide access to contributing/editing scenarios
• Moderator status consideration
*"hero point"= one opportunity to turn faster, repair a system quicker by one turn, restore a shield box in a single turn.
What is Fantasy Trek?
Not Just a Game. It's a Star Trek Experience
http://fantasytrek.blogspot.com
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Captain's Log USS Guadalcanal Stardate 1008.24
Captain's Log
USS Guadalcanal
Stardate 1008.24
We arrived at the Ocampan homeworld to find a massive Kazon warship in orbit, peacefully, with the USS Exeter alongside. Without standing down from red alert, we contacted the Exeter. According to Captain Reggie Farrell, Ambassador Khan was on the surface meeting with the Kazon Ogla First Maje Jabin. Negotiations had reached a turning point, as the ambassador had reported. Apparently, a primary dispute that the Kazon had maintained with Captain Janeway on the Voyager was the unwillingness the captain had shown to share even the most rudimentary technology in exchange for local assistance. The Kazon regarded this as unfair and insulting, and made any hope for peace between them impossible. They were just as willing to discuss a non-aggression agreement when Ambassador Khan mentioned the possibility of sharing rudimentary protein resequencer technology. The fact that the Exeter does not have a protein resequencer, nor the capability to fabricate one is the reason that the Guadalcanal was summoned. We use a resequencer in our advanced xenobiology labs. With this resequencer, the Kazon will be able to convert base matter to edible food and potable water without being able to easily adapt the technology into transporter technology. In the judgement of the Federation Council, that represents humanitarian aid without an unacceptable risk of cultural contamination.
I understand this, and I don't really have a problem helping the Kazon, especially if it opens diplomatic channels. It has often been the case that humanitarian aid (or a lack thereof) has often forged political alliances for good or evil. There have been numerous instances of hostile powers dispensing aid to poverty-stricken areas as a means of gaining control of the populace, and with the races of the alpha and beta quadrants moving into the delta quadrant, one of them is certain to begin to exploit the Kazon in this manner. We've just gotten to them first, and we'll take advantage of that to forge an alliance. The only disquiet I feel about the whole thing is that the Kazon are tough and innovative. Their ships are formidable without the benefit of our technology. So we will be aiding at least one sect of a fragmented society with a history of hostility and ruthlessness, for the simple reason that we want to beat everyone else to it. That's fine if it works out well, but potentially disastrous if it doesn't. In any case, I'll beam down with an engineering team and a dozen protein resequencers to show to the Kazon.
What is Fantasy Trek?
More Than Just a Game. It's a Star Trek Experience
http://fantasytrek.blogspot.com
USS Guadalcanal
Stardate 1008.24
We arrived at the Ocampan homeworld to find a massive Kazon warship in orbit, peacefully, with the USS Exeter alongside. Without standing down from red alert, we contacted the Exeter. According to Captain Reggie Farrell, Ambassador Khan was on the surface meeting with the Kazon Ogla First Maje Jabin. Negotiations had reached a turning point, as the ambassador had reported. Apparently, a primary dispute that the Kazon had maintained with Captain Janeway on the Voyager was the unwillingness the captain had shown to share even the most rudimentary technology in exchange for local assistance. The Kazon regarded this as unfair and insulting, and made any hope for peace between them impossible. They were just as willing to discuss a non-aggression agreement when Ambassador Khan mentioned the possibility of sharing rudimentary protein resequencer technology. The fact that the Exeter does not have a protein resequencer, nor the capability to fabricate one is the reason that the Guadalcanal was summoned. We use a resequencer in our advanced xenobiology labs. With this resequencer, the Kazon will be able to convert base matter to edible food and potable water without being able to easily adapt the technology into transporter technology. In the judgement of the Federation Council, that represents humanitarian aid without an unacceptable risk of cultural contamination.
I understand this, and I don't really have a problem helping the Kazon, especially if it opens diplomatic channels. It has often been the case that humanitarian aid (or a lack thereof) has often forged political alliances for good or evil. There have been numerous instances of hostile powers dispensing aid to poverty-stricken areas as a means of gaining control of the populace, and with the races of the alpha and beta quadrants moving into the delta quadrant, one of them is certain to begin to exploit the Kazon in this manner. We've just gotten to them first, and we'll take advantage of that to forge an alliance. The only disquiet I feel about the whole thing is that the Kazon are tough and innovative. Their ships are formidable without the benefit of our technology. So we will be aiding at least one sect of a fragmented society with a history of hostility and ruthlessness, for the simple reason that we want to beat everyone else to it. That's fine if it works out well, but potentially disastrous if it doesn't. In any case, I'll beam down with an engineering team and a dozen protein resequencers to show to the Kazon.
What is Fantasy Trek?
More Than Just a Game. It's a Star Trek Experience
http://fantasytrek.blogspot.com
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Summary of Events Stardate 1008.19
Summary of Events
Stardate 1008.19
TNG Era:
USS Guadalcanal has suspended its investigation of Romulan activity on Oshionian 6 in order to respond to and investigate a directed but non-verbal communication from the USS Exeter. The communique contained the Guadalcanal's classified transponder registry, and was sent from Ocampa.
Starfleet monitor stations report a three Klingon fleets detailed to monitor their side of the neutral zone, matching the assignment of the Federation Fifth fleet. The Fifth fleet is expected on station at Starbase Lighthouse. USS Blalock, assigned to investigate loss of signal from USS Archer is operating under communications blackout, and not expected to report until its return to Federation space.
TOS Era:
Following reports of a Klingon offensive into Federation space, Starfleet is taking steps to pre-empt the Klingon offensive. The Constitution class USS Enterprise has been ordered to Organia in order to secure the right to station protective personnel from the natives, and the Fast (Penetration) Cruiser USS Xerxes has been ordered to cross a remote stretch of Klingon space in a covert mission to reinforce the monitor station on Archer 4.
Moderator's Note:
From now on, the weekly update will summarise activity from more than one era. Note that events in the TOS era include a reference to the TOS episode "Errand of Mercy". This kind of 'brush' with series events may happen from time to time, in oder to allow players to take part in well known events. Starting next week, readers will be encouraged to take part in tactical 'you make the call' exercises. These will not be taken from historical situations, but will be hypothetical exercises whose outcomes will be shaped by reader feedback. Readers will be able to take part in the discussion through the comment option.
What is Fantasy Trek?
More Than Just a Game. It's a Star Trek Experience
http://fantasytrek.blogspot.com
Stardate 1008.19
TNG Era:
USS Guadalcanal has suspended its investigation of Romulan activity on Oshionian 6 in order to respond to and investigate a directed but non-verbal communication from the USS Exeter. The communique contained the Guadalcanal's classified transponder registry, and was sent from Ocampa.
Starfleet monitor stations report a three Klingon fleets detailed to monitor their side of the neutral zone, matching the assignment of the Federation Fifth fleet. The Fifth fleet is expected on station at Starbase Lighthouse. USS Blalock, assigned to investigate loss of signal from USS Archer is operating under communications blackout, and not expected to report until its return to Federation space.
TOS Era:
Following reports of a Klingon offensive into Federation space, Starfleet is taking steps to pre-empt the Klingon offensive. The Constitution class USS Enterprise has been ordered to Organia in order to secure the right to station protective personnel from the natives, and the Fast (Penetration) Cruiser USS Xerxes has been ordered to cross a remote stretch of Klingon space in a covert mission to reinforce the monitor station on Archer 4.
Moderator's Note:
From now on, the weekly update will summarise activity from more than one era. Note that events in the TOS era include a reference to the TOS episode "Errand of Mercy". This kind of 'brush' with series events may happen from time to time, in oder to allow players to take part in well known events. Starting next week, readers will be encouraged to take part in tactical 'you make the call' exercises. These will not be taken from historical situations, but will be hypothetical exercises whose outcomes will be shaped by reader feedback. Readers will be able to take part in the discussion through the comment option.
What is Fantasy Trek?
More Than Just a Game. It's a Star Trek Experience
http://fantasytrek.blogspot.com
(TOS era) Captain's Log USS Xerxes Stardate 1008.18
Captain's Log
USS Xerxes
Stardate 1008.18
This is a day we have feared for many years. The Klingons have attacked along several fronts. One of those is Organia an otherwise insignificant planet located along a natural invasion route. Coded subspace transmissions from Starfleet Command say that the Enterprise is on its way to meet the Klingons at Organia. The Xerxes is going to do what it does best. We are tasked with crossing Klingon space at its narrowist spit, from the Durandal system, adjacent to the Klingon system H'atoria, to the Archer system in order to reinforce the monitor station there. We will be away from the main thrust of the conflict where, reportedly, as many as a dozen D-7 battlecruisers have crossed the border, but we'll also be alone in Klingon space, in a communications black out, for at least four days. The Xerxes is not the biggest, toughest ship in the fleet, but it is a Fast Penetration Cruiser. It's designed to slip in, defend itself, do the job, and get out. I have nothing but respect for Captain Kirk, but this is a job that the Enterprise wasn't built for. The Xerxes was.
What concerns me, that I haven't shared beyond the command crew, is that Outpost M-Z 5 has gone silent. Outpost M-Z 5 is an unmanned deep space sensor outpost five lightyears from the K'T'inga system, but twenty lightyears from Archer. If the Klingons have destroyed M-Z 5, they're probably be heading towards Archer. If that's the case, we'll be in for a fight, and that is where a heavy cruiser is better suited. My orders are to get to Archer before the Klingons do, if indeed they're headed in that direction. What really makes this a tough prospect is the third part of my orders. The plasma torpedo launchers installed on this ship were put here to take down heavy installations and particularly hard targets. They'll get that opportunity, when we make a beeline for K'T'inga, followed by Beta Lankal, then Beta Thoridor. We'll then exit Klingon space at the Azure nebula. The idea is to put enough of a hurt on the Klingons to make them think twice about a prolonged conflict.
What is Fantasy Trek?
More Than Just a Game. It's a Star Trek Experience
http://fantasytrek.blogspot.com
USS Xerxes
Stardate 1008.18
This is a day we have feared for many years. The Klingons have attacked along several fronts. One of those is Organia an otherwise insignificant planet located along a natural invasion route. Coded subspace transmissions from Starfleet Command say that the Enterprise is on its way to meet the Klingons at Organia. The Xerxes is going to do what it does best. We are tasked with crossing Klingon space at its narrowist spit, from the Durandal system, adjacent to the Klingon system H'atoria, to the Archer system in order to reinforce the monitor station there. We will be away from the main thrust of the conflict where, reportedly, as many as a dozen D-7 battlecruisers have crossed the border, but we'll also be alone in Klingon space, in a communications black out, for at least four days. The Xerxes is not the biggest, toughest ship in the fleet, but it is a Fast Penetration Cruiser. It's designed to slip in, defend itself, do the job, and get out. I have nothing but respect for Captain Kirk, but this is a job that the Enterprise wasn't built for. The Xerxes was.
What concerns me, that I haven't shared beyond the command crew, is that Outpost M-Z 5 has gone silent. Outpost M-Z 5 is an unmanned deep space sensor outpost five lightyears from the K'T'inga system, but twenty lightyears from Archer. If the Klingons have destroyed M-Z 5, they're probably be heading towards Archer. If that's the case, we'll be in for a fight, and that is where a heavy cruiser is better suited. My orders are to get to Archer before the Klingons do, if indeed they're headed in that direction. What really makes this a tough prospect is the third part of my orders. The plasma torpedo launchers installed on this ship were put here to take down heavy installations and particularly hard targets. They'll get that opportunity, when we make a beeline for K'T'inga, followed by Beta Lankal, then Beta Thoridor. We'll then exit Klingon space at the Azure nebula. The idea is to put enough of a hurt on the Klingons to make them think twice about a prolonged conflict.
What is Fantasy Trek?
More Than Just a Game. It's a Star Trek Experience
http://fantasytrek.blogspot.com
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Captain's Log USS Guadalcanal Stardate 1008.17
Captain's Log
USS Guadalcanal
Stardate 1008.17
We were preparing to send a landing party down to investigate Oshionian 6, and the reasons for Romulan activity there when we received a stray transmission from the USS Exeter. It was not specifically a distress signal, but it did come from the direction of the Ocampa system, where the Exeter was supposed to be operating. And the transmission was specifically directed to us. It wasn't a voice transmission, but was encoded with our transponder registration. Unlike our registry, NCC-1945-C, the transponder registry is classified and available only available to command level personnel.
We know very little about the status of the Exeter and its mission. We understand that Federation Ambassador Endara Khan is making a diplomatic overture to the Kazon Ogla sect, and that she has reported some minimal success, or at least a reason for optimism. But the detailed logs transmitted by Captain Kathryn Janeway show that the Kazon can be very dangerous and extremely inventive. She reported that her many attempts to reach an understand with the Kazon were unsuccessful. I have to admit that I see little reason to expect that to change. I hope I'm wrong, but I'm preparing my crew for potential combat with the Kazon. At warp eight, it'll still take us almost three days to reach Ocampa, and I'm not inclined to push the engines any harder. If we do go into combat, I don't want a ship and crew pushed to the point of straining.
What is Fantasy Trek?
More Than Just a Game. It's a Star Trek Experience
http://fantasytrek.blogspot.com
USS Guadalcanal
Stardate 1008.17
We were preparing to send a landing party down to investigate Oshionian 6, and the reasons for Romulan activity there when we received a stray transmission from the USS Exeter. It was not specifically a distress signal, but it did come from the direction of the Ocampa system, where the Exeter was supposed to be operating. And the transmission was specifically directed to us. It wasn't a voice transmission, but was encoded with our transponder registration. Unlike our registry, NCC-1945-C, the transponder registry is classified and available only available to command level personnel.
We know very little about the status of the Exeter and its mission. We understand that Federation Ambassador Endara Khan is making a diplomatic overture to the Kazon Ogla sect, and that she has reported some minimal success, or at least a reason for optimism. But the detailed logs transmitted by Captain Kathryn Janeway show that the Kazon can be very dangerous and extremely inventive. She reported that her many attempts to reach an understand with the Kazon were unsuccessful. I have to admit that I see little reason to expect that to change. I hope I'm wrong, but I'm preparing my crew for potential combat with the Kazon. At warp eight, it'll still take us almost three days to reach Ocampa, and I'm not inclined to push the engines any harder. If we do go into combat, I don't want a ship and crew pushed to the point of straining.
What is Fantasy Trek?
More Than Just a Game. It's a Star Trek Experience
http://fantasytrek.blogspot.com
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Update
For anyone reading this... just because its been quiet here doesn't mean I've been taking time off. I've been working with the good folks behind the Twelve Trek Days of Christmas to not only include Fantasy Trek in that package, but also to add a few of my other ideas. So packaging the game up now has a December 1st deadline. And as for what 'package' means in this case is a downloadable PDF with at the very least a fairly finalized basic rule set that includes combat rules for all major races and ships in the TNG era as well as exploratory missions. It will contain the planetary classifications and random planetary missions, as well as sector maps downloaded from various websites. The ranking system will be finalized and spelled out. That will also address the ranking system for ground (or boarding party) action.
It will have a quick start guide, as well as text SSD's for all classes of ships. And probably an FAQ. I'm also thinking about including a few sample tactical "You Make The Call!" exercises.
I also put a copy of everything needed for ship-to-ship combat onto the palm pilot. All I didn't (yet) put on there was the ground combat template. But that is real easy to reproduce. The point to that is that I've wanted to able to play Fantasy Trek on the palm pilot for a long time. And if anyone is ihterested, the palm is a Palm m505.
And now, of course, I've got to work fast to catch up things for the weekly update.
What is Fantasy Trek?
More Than Just a Game. It's a Star Trek Experience
http://fantasytrek.blogspot.com
It will have a quick start guide, as well as text SSD's for all classes of ships. And probably an FAQ. I'm also thinking about including a few sample tactical "You Make The Call!" exercises.
I also put a copy of everything needed for ship-to-ship combat onto the palm pilot. All I didn't (yet) put on there was the ground combat template. But that is real easy to reproduce. The point to that is that I've wanted to able to play Fantasy Trek on the palm pilot for a long time. And if anyone is ihterested, the palm is a Palm m505.
And now, of course, I've got to work fast to catch up things for the weekly update.
What is Fantasy Trek?
More Than Just a Game. It's a Star Trek Experience
http://fantasytrek.blogspot.com
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Summary of Events Stardate 1008.12
Summary of Events
Stardate 1008.12
USS Guadalcanal reports the destruction of the RIS Praex in orbit Oshionion 6. Captain Murphy reports that he acted in self-defence, and had intended to disable the warbird and board her. His investigation of the Romulan activity in the area will continue.
The frigate IKS dIng'Patlh located the remnants of the CS Horizon in a spatial anomaly inside Klingon space near Gamma Hydra. Spatial stresses had destroyed the craft, but the peculiar properties of the anomaly broadcast internal comm recordings externally. The following recorded conversation is responsible for the diplomatic rift with the Klingons:
Navigator: "... if the Klingons get here first?"
Captain: "... don't worry Sam. Since the Klingons joined the Federation..."
Starbase Lighthouse has been designated the rally point for the Federation Fifth Fleet, set to establish and maintain patrol of neutral zone between Federation and Klingon Empire until crisis is past.
Xerxes Class USS Blalock Fast (Penetration) Cruiser assigned to investigate loss of contact with Achilles Class USS Archer, last assigned to investigate loss of civilian ship CS Horizon near Gamma Hydra.
No further communications from Ambassador Endara Khan on board the USS Exeter since she reported contact with Kazon Ogla leader First Maje Jabin. USS Guadalacanal advised, will monitor Starfleet frequencies but otherwise not interfere without a specific request for assistance or any obvious distress.
What is Fantasy Trek?
The Only 'Star Trek: The Experience' You Can Still Experience
http://fantasytrek.blogspot.com
Stardate 1008.12
USS Guadalcanal reports the destruction of the RIS Praex in orbit Oshionion 6. Captain Murphy reports that he acted in self-defence, and had intended to disable the warbird and board her. His investigation of the Romulan activity in the area will continue.
The frigate IKS dIng'Patlh located the remnants of the CS Horizon in a spatial anomaly inside Klingon space near Gamma Hydra. Spatial stresses had destroyed the craft, but the peculiar properties of the anomaly broadcast internal comm recordings externally. The following recorded conversation is responsible for the diplomatic rift with the Klingons:
Navigator: "... if the Klingons get here first?"
Captain: "... don't worry Sam. Since the Klingons joined the Federation..."
Starbase Lighthouse has been designated the rally point for the Federation Fifth Fleet, set to establish and maintain patrol of neutral zone between Federation and Klingon Empire until crisis is past.
Xerxes Class USS Blalock Fast (Penetration) Cruiser assigned to investigate loss of contact with Achilles Class USS Archer, last assigned to investigate loss of civilian ship CS Horizon near Gamma Hydra.
No further communications from Ambassador Endara Khan on board the USS Exeter since she reported contact with Kazon Ogla leader First Maje Jabin. USS Guadalacanal advised, will monitor Starfleet frequencies but otherwise not interfere without a specific request for assistance or any obvious distress.
What is Fantasy Trek?
The Only 'Star Trek: The Experience' You Can Still Experience
http://fantasytrek.blogspot.com
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Classified Personal Log Admiral Nogulich Stardate 1008.09
Classified Personal Log
Admiral Nogulich
Starbase Lighthouse
Stardate 1008.09
Access Code **************
I knew that if no other Klingon would talk to me about what happened to so upset the sensibilities of the Empire, it would be General ******. He informed me that the missing CS Horizon in fact ran into a spatial anomaly on the edge of Klingon space in the Gamma Hydra system. It was discovered because, due to the peculiar characteristics of the anomaly, internal comm recordings aboard the Horizon were broadcast externally. A passing Klingon frigate picked up the comm signal and easily tracked it to the source. Spatial stress had torn the vulnerable craft to pieces. The frigate, the IKS dIng'Patlh, recovered all of the debris. The problem, as it turns out, lies in the internal comm recordings. They feature voices determined to belong to the ships captain and navigator:
Navigator: "... if the Klingons get here first?"
Captain: "... don't worry Sam. Since the Klingons joined the Federation..."
That off-hand remark by the Captain of a civilian vessel, a freighter whose average cargo haul amounted to less than one-one hundredth of one percent of just the civiilian traffic that goes on between the Federation and the Empire has done more diplomatic damage between our respective governments than anything since the Klingons withdrew from the Khitomer Accords on the eve of the Dominion war. The Klingons are, in truth, not worried about small vessels straying over the border. They understand that navigation systems do malfunction, and they enjoy the benefits of undocumented commerce just as we do. But what they do care about on a cultural level is their pride. They would turn their back on a harmless smuggler, but they would not, the General reminded me, ignore a slight. And inferring that the Empire had joined the Federation is something that a more hardline Klingon government would go to war over.
So what will it take to get the Klingons talking again? The General said that nobody had enough influence in the council to turn that around. He said that while there was no chance that Martok would declare war over this, the problem was that many warships are actually under the control of the Great Houses that make up the High Council, and they operate with great autonomy. If a council member decides to take the remark as a personal affront, he could well put his ships on the hunt. That is the worry. Since the Klingon Ambassador has been recalled, we cannot even officially apologize. Barring extraordinary good luck, we can only hope that the Empire decides to forgive us before something goes horribly wrong.
My personal apology for the incident was, in the General's words, completely unnecessary but also would unfortunately make no difference. Influential as he was, he couldn't risk coming out for restoring ties without endangering his own position and life. If it were even learned that he'd disclosed this information to a Starfleet admiral, he'd be in great personal danger.
So the peace is balanced on the edge of a bat'leth.
What is Fantasy Trek?
The Only 'Star Trek: The Experience' You Can Still Experience
http://fantasytrek.blogspot.com
Admiral Nogulich
Starbase Lighthouse
Stardate 1008.09
Access Code **************
I knew that if no other Klingon would talk to me about what happened to so upset the sensibilities of the Empire, it would be General ******. He informed me that the missing CS Horizon in fact ran into a spatial anomaly on the edge of Klingon space in the Gamma Hydra system. It was discovered because, due to the peculiar characteristics of the anomaly, internal comm recordings aboard the Horizon were broadcast externally. A passing Klingon frigate picked up the comm signal and easily tracked it to the source. Spatial stress had torn the vulnerable craft to pieces. The frigate, the IKS dIng'Patlh, recovered all of the debris. The problem, as it turns out, lies in the internal comm recordings. They feature voices determined to belong to the ships captain and navigator:
Navigator: "... if the Klingons get here first?"
Captain: "... don't worry Sam. Since the Klingons joined the Federation..."
That off-hand remark by the Captain of a civilian vessel, a freighter whose average cargo haul amounted to less than one-one hundredth of one percent of just the civiilian traffic that goes on between the Federation and the Empire has done more diplomatic damage between our respective governments than anything since the Klingons withdrew from the Khitomer Accords on the eve of the Dominion war. The Klingons are, in truth, not worried about small vessels straying over the border. They understand that navigation systems do malfunction, and they enjoy the benefits of undocumented commerce just as we do. But what they do care about on a cultural level is their pride. They would turn their back on a harmless smuggler, but they would not, the General reminded me, ignore a slight. And inferring that the Empire had joined the Federation is something that a more hardline Klingon government would go to war over.
So what will it take to get the Klingons talking again? The General said that nobody had enough influence in the council to turn that around. He said that while there was no chance that Martok would declare war over this, the problem was that many warships are actually under the control of the Great Houses that make up the High Council, and they operate with great autonomy. If a council member decides to take the remark as a personal affront, he could well put his ships on the hunt. That is the worry. Since the Klingon Ambassador has been recalled, we cannot even officially apologize. Barring extraordinary good luck, we can only hope that the Empire decides to forgive us before something goes horribly wrong.
My personal apology for the incident was, in the General's words, completely unnecessary but also would unfortunately make no difference. Influential as he was, he couldn't risk coming out for restoring ties without endangering his own position and life. If it were even learned that he'd disclosed this information to a Starfleet admiral, he'd be in great personal danger.
So the peace is balanced on the edge of a bat'leth.
What is Fantasy Trek?
The Only 'Star Trek: The Experience' You Can Still Experience
http://fantasytrek.blogspot.com
Monday, October 6, 2008
Captain's Log USS Guadalcanal Stardate 1008.07 (And Lessons Learned on Orbital Combat)
Captain's Log
USS Guadalcanal
Stardate 1008.07
In orbit of Oshionion 6
It was my intention to disable the Romulan warbird and beam a specialized combat team to download the computer core, but in the act of defending ourselves from a fully-charged
and ready to launch plasma torpedo (at nearly point blank range), we launched a photon torpedo that hit the unshielded enemy and blew it apart. There were no survivors, and no recoverable computer components. I don't think the the Praex was here by herself. I think that we will find another warbird, and with it, another chance to learn what part the Romulans play in this mystery. I personally don't think the Romulans built the artificial planet, but they are certainly interested in it. There was word recently that the warbird Decius had launched from spacedock recently. If they come looking, we'll have a second chance to gather intelligence.
(Moderator's Note: I learned a lot during this playtest, and made a few changes. Cloaking ships are not limited to how many turns they can be cloaked, but they are limited to being cloaked for ten consecutive turns. That satisfies the power consumption requirement of the cloak, as well as keeping ships from cloaking and staying that way to annoy others. One point is required each turn to remain cloaked. Only 'Experienced' rated and above can 'flash detect' a cloaked ship and they still require ten points to devote to sensors. I actually thought about getting rid of that ability altogether, but everyone knows how a cloak works, and should therefore be capable of countering its effect. I'm assuming that you could flood a close area with tachyons and detect a cloaked ship. Plasmas require a single point to maintain their charge if they are held in a fully charged position. The plasma is a fantastic weapon, but it also needs to be expensive to operate if game balance is to be maintained. The 'speed' notation in orbital combat doesn't work at the moment. Honestly, I had an interesting enough time accurately tracking the position of the two dancing ships without grasping the nuances of adjusting speeds. The 'orbital position' system is absolutely vital to tracking the position of ships in orbit once they change target selection to a ship. The five 'experience points' an 'Experienced' rated ship is allowed per engagement needs to be well-defined, but could be a game winner if used properly. I was a bit concerned about that as a balance issue as well, but if it is properly defined, it would help to highlight the value of taking on and completing missions, and properly reward hard working crews. It looks like I'm going to rewrite the heavy combat rules about a hundred times before I get it right, but that's how you get a good rulebook and a working game. At the same time, you notice, if you look at these notations included here, a bobble or two. For instance, towards the end, the warbird (cloaked at the time) breaks orbit enough to turn around and drop in alongside the Guadalcanal. It was my intention to have the Praex decloak and unload with a plasma torpedo at close, killing range. So what I did was actually steer the ship around and have it drop forward momentum to allow the Guadalcanal to catch up and pull up alongside. That was when the Guadalcanal came up with the roll it needed to flash detect the Romulan and lob a photon at an absolutely deadly range. Now, you might say, well, you knew the Romulan ship was there. I did, obviously, having put it there. But I couldn't do anything without A) firing blind (which I didn't want to) or B) Flash detecting (which I needed the roll of 11 (10 to detect plus one to fire the photon). Think of it as solitaire with starships. Sure, you could cheat, but what would be the point?)
Here are the combat logs
A=USS Guadalcanal
B=RIS Praex
Orbital Position One: 000-45
Orbital Position Two: 45-90
Orbital Position Three: 90-135
Orbital Position Four: 135-180
Orbital Position Five: 180-225
Orbital Position Six: 225-270
Orbital Position Seven: 270-315
Orbital Position Eight: 315-000
A Orbital Position Four (135-180)
Roll [8]
Init Target [planet]
Init Course [000]
Init Bearing [180]
Init Range [4]
Proj Target [planet]
Proj Course [000]
Proj Bearing [135]
Proj Range [5]
Defense/ECM [6(3)]
Offense []
B Orbital Position Seven (270-315)
Roll [11]
Init Target [planet]
Init Course [000]
Init Bearing [270]
Init Range [4]
Proj Target [planet]
Proj Course [000]
Proj Bearing [315]
Proj Range [4]
Defense/ECM [cloaked/10(5)]
Offense []
Result: tie
Damage to A:
Damage to B:
A Orbital Position 3 (90-135)
Roll [8]
Init Target [planet]
Init Course [000]
Init Bearing [135]
Init Range [5]
Proj Target [planet]
Proj Course [45]
Proj Bearing [90]
Proj Range [6]
Defense/ECM [initial 3/add8(4)]
Offense []
B Orbital Position 8 (315-000)
Roll [6]
Init Target [planet]
Init Course [000]
Init Bearing [315]
Init Range [4]
Proj Target [planet]
Proj Course [000]
Proj Bearing [000]
Proj Range [4]
Defense/ECM [cloaked/initial 5/add 6(3)]
Offense []
Result: tie
Damage to A:
Damage to B:
A Orbital Position 2 (45-90)
Roll [15]
Init Target [planet]
Init Course [000]
Init Bearing [90]
Init Range [6]
Proj Target [Planet]
Proj Course [315]
Proj Bearing [45]
Proj Range [6]
Defense/ECM [10 pts sensors flash detect Praex at bearing 315 range 8/initial 4]
Offense [4pts phaser/1pt photon rolled 2(X2)]
B Orbital Position 1 (000-45)
Roll [8]
Init Target [planet]
Init Course [90]
Init Bearing [000]
Init Range [4]
Proj Target [planet]
Proj Course [135]
Proj Bearing [45]
Proj Range [4]
Defense/ECM [begin decloak/initial 3/add 6(3)]
Offense [1/4 charge plasma]
Result:
Damage to A: undamaged
Damage to B: 2/4 damage to Praex fore hull
A Orbital Position 1 (000-45)
Roll [14]
Init Target [Praex]
Init Course [315]
Init Bearing [315]
Init Range [8]
Proj Target [Praex]
Proj Course [270]
Proj Bearing [225]
Proj Range [9]
Defense/ECM [6(3)ECM]
Offense [8pts phaser to Praex Port Shield]
B Orbital Position 2 (45-90)
Roll [11]
Init Target [GUAD]
Init Course [135]
Init Bearing [225]
Init Range [8]
Proj Target [GUAD]
Proj Course [180]
Proj Bearing [180]
Proj Range [9]
Defense/ECM [Complete decloak/initial 3/10(5)ECM]
Offense [2/4 charge plasma]
Result:
Damage to A: undamaged
Damage to B:2/4 damage to Praex Fore hull
A Orbital Position 8 (315-000)
Roll [15]
Init Target [Praex]
Init Course [270]
Init Bearing [225]
Init Range [9]
Proj Target [Praex]
Proj Course [225]
Proj Bearing [180]
Proj Range [10]
Defense/ECM [3(retained)]
Offense [15 pts phaser to Praex aft shields]
B Orbital Position 3 (90-135)
Roll [10]
Init Target [GUAD]
Init Course [180]
Init Bearing [180]
Init Range [9]
Proj Target [GUAD]
Proj Course [225]
Proj Bearing [135]
Proj Range [10]
Defense/ECM [10(5)ECM]
Offense []
Result:
Damage to A: undamaged
Damage to B: 5/17 pts damage Praex aft shields. 2/4 damage to Praex Fore hull
A Orbital Position 7 (270-315)
Roll [9]
Init Target [planet]
Init Course [225]
Init Bearing [315]
Init Range [6]
Proj Target [Planet]
Proj Course [180]
Proj Bearing [270]
Proj Range [6]
Defense/ECM []
Offense []
B Orbital Position 4 (135-180)
Roll [11]
Init Target [GUAD]
Init Course [225]
Init Bearing [135]
Init Range [4]
Proj Target [planet]
Proj Course [180]
Proj Bearing [135]
Proj Range [4]]
Defense/ECM [begin cloak/8(4)ECM]
Offense [3/4 charge plasma]
Result:
Damage to A: undamaged
Damage to B: 5/17 pts damage Praex aft shields. 2/4 damage to Praex Fore hull
A Orbital Position 6 (225-270)
Roll [9]
Init Target [planet]
Init Course [180]
Init Bearing [270]
Init Range [6]
Proj Target [planet]
Proj Course [135]
Proj Bearing [225]
Proj Range [6]
Defense/ECM []
Offense []
B Orbital Position 4 (135-180)
Roll [9]
Init Target [planet]
Init Course [180]
Init Bearing [135]
Init Range [4]
Proj Target [planet]
Proj Course [135]
Proj Bearing [135]
Proj Range [4]
Defense/ECM [complete cloak]
Offense [4/4 plasma charge]
Result:
Damage to A: undamaged
Damage to B: 5/17 pts damage Praex aft shields. 2/4 damage to Praex Fore hull
A Orbital Position 5 (180-225)
Roll [7]
Init Target [planet]
Init Course [135]
Init Bearing [225]
Init Range [6]
Proj Target [planet]
Proj Course [90]
Proj Bearing [180]
Proj Range [6]
Defense/ECM [6(3) ECM]
Offense []
B Orbital Position 4 (135-180)
Roll [11]
Init Target [planet]
Init Course [135]
Init Bearing [135]
Init Range [4]
Proj Target [planet]
Proj Course [90]
Proj Bearing [135]
Proj Range [4]
Defense/ECM [cloaked]
Offense [maintain plasma charge]
Result:
Damage to A: undamaged
Damage to B: 5/17 pts damage Praex aft shields. 2/4 damage to Praex Fore hull
A Orbital Position 4 (135-180)
Roll [10]
Init Target [planet]
Init Course [90]
Init Bearing [180]
Init Range [6]
Proj Target [planet]
Proj Course [45]
Proj Bearing [135]
Proj Range [6]
Defense/ECM [initial 3]
Offense []
B Orbital Position 4 (135-180)
Roll [7]
Init Target [planet]
Init Course [45]
Init Bearing [135]
Init Range [4]
Proj Target [planet]
Proj Course [000]
Proj Bearing [90]
Proj Range [4]
Defense/ECM [cloak/4(2) ECM]
Offense [maintain plasma charge ]
Result:
Damage to A: undamaged
Damage to B: 5/17 pts damage Praex aft shields. 2/4 damage to Praex Fore hull
A Orbital Position 3 (90-135)
Roll [11]
Init Target [planet]
Init Course [45]
Init Bearing [135]
Init Range [6]
Proj Target [Praex]
Proj Course [000]
Proj Bearing [270]
Proj Range [2]
Defense/ECM [10 pts sensors flash detect Praex: range 2/bearing 270]
Offense [1 photon roll 4(X8) =32 pts damage]
B Orbital Position 3 (90-135)
Roll [11]
Init Target [planet]
Init Course [000]
Init Bearing [135]
Init Range [4]
Proj Target [GUAD]
Proj Course [000]
Proj Bearing [90]
Proj Range [2]
Defense/ECM [begin decloak/initial 2/ add 8(4)ECM]
Offense [maintain plasma charge]
Result:
Damage to A: undamaged
Damage to B: (26 pts damage) 5/17 pts damage aft shields. 2/4 damage to Fore hull 3/3 starboard hull 4/4 batteries 1/1 sensors 4/4 armor 1/2 impulse 2/2 fire control 4/4 warp
1/1 bridge 2/2 cloak 1/1 aux bridge 1/1 impulse 2/2 disruptors
Catastrophic damage destroys RIS Praex
What is Fantasy Trek?
The Only 'Star Trek: The Experience' You Can Still Experience
http://fantasytrek.blogspot.com
USS Guadalcanal
Stardate 1008.07
In orbit of Oshionion 6
It was my intention to disable the Romulan warbird and beam a specialized combat team to download the computer core, but in the act of defending ourselves from a fully-charged
and ready to launch plasma torpedo (at nearly point blank range), we launched a photon torpedo that hit the unshielded enemy and blew it apart. There were no survivors, and no recoverable computer components. I don't think the the Praex was here by herself. I think that we will find another warbird, and with it, another chance to learn what part the Romulans play in this mystery. I personally don't think the Romulans built the artificial planet, but they are certainly interested in it. There was word recently that the warbird Decius had launched from spacedock recently. If they come looking, we'll have a second chance to gather intelligence.
(Moderator's Note: I learned a lot during this playtest, and made a few changes. Cloaking ships are not limited to how many turns they can be cloaked, but they are limited to being cloaked for ten consecutive turns. That satisfies the power consumption requirement of the cloak, as well as keeping ships from cloaking and staying that way to annoy others. One point is required each turn to remain cloaked. Only 'Experienced' rated and above can 'flash detect' a cloaked ship and they still require ten points to devote to sensors. I actually thought about getting rid of that ability altogether, but everyone knows how a cloak works, and should therefore be capable of countering its effect. I'm assuming that you could flood a close area with tachyons and detect a cloaked ship. Plasmas require a single point to maintain their charge if they are held in a fully charged position. The plasma is a fantastic weapon, but it also needs to be expensive to operate if game balance is to be maintained. The 'speed' notation in orbital combat doesn't work at the moment. Honestly, I had an interesting enough time accurately tracking the position of the two dancing ships without grasping the nuances of adjusting speeds. The 'orbital position' system is absolutely vital to tracking the position of ships in orbit once they change target selection to a ship. The five 'experience points' an 'Experienced' rated ship is allowed per engagement needs to be well-defined, but could be a game winner if used properly. I was a bit concerned about that as a balance issue as well, but if it is properly defined, it would help to highlight the value of taking on and completing missions, and properly reward hard working crews. It looks like I'm going to rewrite the heavy combat rules about a hundred times before I get it right, but that's how you get a good rulebook and a working game. At the same time, you notice, if you look at these notations included here, a bobble or two. For instance, towards the end, the warbird (cloaked at the time) breaks orbit enough to turn around and drop in alongside the Guadalcanal. It was my intention to have the Praex decloak and unload with a plasma torpedo at close, killing range. So what I did was actually steer the ship around and have it drop forward momentum to allow the Guadalcanal to catch up and pull up alongside. That was when the Guadalcanal came up with the roll it needed to flash detect the Romulan and lob a photon at an absolutely deadly range. Now, you might say, well, you knew the Romulan ship was there. I did, obviously, having put it there. But I couldn't do anything without A) firing blind (which I didn't want to) or B) Flash detecting (which I needed the roll of 11 (10 to detect plus one to fire the photon). Think of it as solitaire with starships. Sure, you could cheat, but what would be the point?)
Here are the combat logs
A=USS Guadalcanal
B=RIS Praex
Orbital Position One: 000-45
Orbital Position Two: 45-90
Orbital Position Three: 90-135
Orbital Position Four: 135-180
Orbital Position Five: 180-225
Orbital Position Six: 225-270
Orbital Position Seven: 270-315
Orbital Position Eight: 315-000
A Orbital Position Four (135-180)
Roll [8]
Init Target [planet]
Init Course [000]
Init Bearing [180]
Init Range [4]
Proj Target [planet]
Proj Course [000]
Proj Bearing [135]
Proj Range [5]
Defense/ECM [6(3)]
Offense []
B Orbital Position Seven (270-315)
Roll [11]
Init Target [planet]
Init Course [000]
Init Bearing [270]
Init Range [4]
Proj Target [planet]
Proj Course [000]
Proj Bearing [315]
Proj Range [4]
Defense/ECM [cloaked/10(5)]
Offense []
Result: tie
Damage to A:
Damage to B:
A Orbital Position 3 (90-135)
Roll [8]
Init Target [planet]
Init Course [000]
Init Bearing [135]
Init Range [5]
Proj Target [planet]
Proj Course [45]
Proj Bearing [90]
Proj Range [6]
Defense/ECM [initial 3/add8(4)]
Offense []
B Orbital Position 8 (315-000)
Roll [6]
Init Target [planet]
Init Course [000]
Init Bearing [315]
Init Range [4]
Proj Target [planet]
Proj Course [000]
Proj Bearing [000]
Proj Range [4]
Defense/ECM [cloaked/initial 5/add 6(3)]
Offense []
Result: tie
Damage to A:
Damage to B:
A Orbital Position 2 (45-90)
Roll [15]
Init Target [planet]
Init Course [000]
Init Bearing [90]
Init Range [6]
Proj Target [Planet]
Proj Course [315]
Proj Bearing [45]
Proj Range [6]
Defense/ECM [10 pts sensors flash detect Praex at bearing 315 range 8/initial 4]
Offense [4pts phaser/1pt photon rolled 2(X2)]
B Orbital Position 1 (000-45)
Roll [8]
Init Target [planet]
Init Course [90]
Init Bearing [000]
Init Range [4]
Proj Target [planet]
Proj Course [135]
Proj Bearing [45]
Proj Range [4]
Defense/ECM [begin decloak/initial 3/add 6(3)]
Offense [1/4 charge plasma]
Result:
Damage to A: undamaged
Damage to B: 2/4 damage to Praex fore hull
A Orbital Position 1 (000-45)
Roll [14]
Init Target [Praex]
Init Course [315]
Init Bearing [315]
Init Range [8]
Proj Target [Praex]
Proj Course [270]
Proj Bearing [225]
Proj Range [9]
Defense/ECM [6(3)ECM]
Offense [8pts phaser to Praex Port Shield]
B Orbital Position 2 (45-90)
Roll [11]
Init Target [GUAD]
Init Course [135]
Init Bearing [225]
Init Range [8]
Proj Target [GUAD]
Proj Course [180]
Proj Bearing [180]
Proj Range [9]
Defense/ECM [Complete decloak/initial 3/10(5)ECM]
Offense [2/4 charge plasma]
Result:
Damage to A: undamaged
Damage to B:2/4 damage to Praex Fore hull
A Orbital Position 8 (315-000)
Roll [15]
Init Target [Praex]
Init Course [270]
Init Bearing [225]
Init Range [9]
Proj Target [Praex]
Proj Course [225]
Proj Bearing [180]
Proj Range [10]
Defense/ECM [3(retained)]
Offense [15 pts phaser to Praex aft shields]
B Orbital Position 3 (90-135)
Roll [10]
Init Target [GUAD]
Init Course [180]
Init Bearing [180]
Init Range [9]
Proj Target [GUAD]
Proj Course [225]
Proj Bearing [135]
Proj Range [10]
Defense/ECM [10(5)ECM]
Offense []
Result:
Damage to A: undamaged
Damage to B: 5/17 pts damage Praex aft shields. 2/4 damage to Praex Fore hull
A Orbital Position 7 (270-315)
Roll [9]
Init Target [planet]
Init Course [225]
Init Bearing [315]
Init Range [6]
Proj Target [Planet]
Proj Course [180]
Proj Bearing [270]
Proj Range [6]
Defense/ECM []
Offense []
B Orbital Position 4 (135-180)
Roll [11]
Init Target [GUAD]
Init Course [225]
Init Bearing [135]
Init Range [4]
Proj Target [planet]
Proj Course [180]
Proj Bearing [135]
Proj Range [4]]
Defense/ECM [begin cloak/8(4)ECM]
Offense [3/4 charge plasma]
Result:
Damage to A: undamaged
Damage to B: 5/17 pts damage Praex aft shields. 2/4 damage to Praex Fore hull
A Orbital Position 6 (225-270)
Roll [9]
Init Target [planet]
Init Course [180]
Init Bearing [270]
Init Range [6]
Proj Target [planet]
Proj Course [135]
Proj Bearing [225]
Proj Range [6]
Defense/ECM []
Offense []
B Orbital Position 4 (135-180)
Roll [9]
Init Target [planet]
Init Course [180]
Init Bearing [135]
Init Range [4]
Proj Target [planet]
Proj Course [135]
Proj Bearing [135]
Proj Range [4]
Defense/ECM [complete cloak]
Offense [4/4 plasma charge]
Result:
Damage to A: undamaged
Damage to B: 5/17 pts damage Praex aft shields. 2/4 damage to Praex Fore hull
A Orbital Position 5 (180-225)
Roll [7]
Init Target [planet]
Init Course [135]
Init Bearing [225]
Init Range [6]
Proj Target [planet]
Proj Course [90]
Proj Bearing [180]
Proj Range [6]
Defense/ECM [6(3) ECM]
Offense []
B Orbital Position 4 (135-180)
Roll [11]
Init Target [planet]
Init Course [135]
Init Bearing [135]
Init Range [4]
Proj Target [planet]
Proj Course [90]
Proj Bearing [135]
Proj Range [4]
Defense/ECM [cloaked]
Offense [maintain plasma charge]
Result:
Damage to A: undamaged
Damage to B: 5/17 pts damage Praex aft shields. 2/4 damage to Praex Fore hull
A Orbital Position 4 (135-180)
Roll [10]
Init Target [planet]
Init Course [90]
Init Bearing [180]
Init Range [6]
Proj Target [planet]
Proj Course [45]
Proj Bearing [135]
Proj Range [6]
Defense/ECM [initial 3]
Offense []
B Orbital Position 4 (135-180)
Roll [7]
Init Target [planet]
Init Course [45]
Init Bearing [135]
Init Range [4]
Proj Target [planet]
Proj Course [000]
Proj Bearing [90]
Proj Range [4]
Defense/ECM [cloak/4(2) ECM]
Offense [maintain plasma charge ]
Result:
Damage to A: undamaged
Damage to B: 5/17 pts damage Praex aft shields. 2/4 damage to Praex Fore hull
A Orbital Position 3 (90-135)
Roll [11]
Init Target [planet]
Init Course [45]
Init Bearing [135]
Init Range [6]
Proj Target [Praex]
Proj Course [000]
Proj Bearing [270]
Proj Range [2]
Defense/ECM [10 pts sensors flash detect Praex: range 2/bearing 270]
Offense [1 photon roll 4(X8) =32 pts damage]
B Orbital Position 3 (90-135)
Roll [11]
Init Target [planet]
Init Course [000]
Init Bearing [135]
Init Range [4]
Proj Target [GUAD]
Proj Course [000]
Proj Bearing [90]
Proj Range [2]
Defense/ECM [begin decloak/initial 2/ add 8(4)ECM]
Offense [maintain plasma charge]
Result:
Damage to A: undamaged
Damage to B: (26 pts damage) 5/17 pts damage aft shields. 2/4 damage to Fore hull 3/3 starboard hull 4/4 batteries 1/1 sensors 4/4 armor 1/2 impulse 2/2 fire control 4/4 warp
1/1 bridge 2/2 cloak 1/1 aux bridge 1/1 impulse 2/2 disruptors
Catastrophic damage destroys RIS Praex
What is Fantasy Trek?
The Only 'Star Trek: The Experience' You Can Still Experience
http://fantasytrek.blogspot.com
Saturday, October 4, 2008
Summary of Events Stardate 1008.05
Summary of Events
Stardate 1008.05
USS Guadalcanal is currenty engaged in combat operations against RIS Praex in orbit Oshionion 6. No indication of its destruction, and no communication expected until it completes its mission.
Starbase Lighthouse has been completed in the Durandal system. Admiral Nogulich has assumed command. Her first act was to request a classified meeting with a high ranking member of the Klingon Defense Force in an effort to defuse the current diplomatic stalemate.
Loss of communications with Achilles Class USS Archer, assigned to investigate loss of civilian ship CS Horizon near Gamma Hydra.
Jamming Cruiser USS Richard Nixon (Class ship) launched from Utopia Planitia Fleet Yards. USS Fox Mulder and USS Dana Scully are currently under construction.
Text of Message Received from Starfleet Monitor Station At Delta Quadrant End of Durandal Wormhole:
Contact established with First Maje Jabin of Kazon Ogla Sect. Humanitarian assistance offered to Kazon has resulted in cordial conversations, and a promise of more in the future. Kazon are suffering from lack of water and natural resources. Pirates are also preying on Kazon ships.
Ambasaador Endara Khan
USS Exeter
Delta Quadrant
What is Fantasy Trek?
The Only 'Star Trek: The Experience' You Can Still Experience
http://fantasytrek.blogspot.com
Stardate 1008.05
USS Guadalcanal is currenty engaged in combat operations against RIS Praex in orbit Oshionion 6. No indication of its destruction, and no communication expected until it completes its mission.
Starbase Lighthouse has been completed in the Durandal system. Admiral Nogulich has assumed command. Her first act was to request a classified meeting with a high ranking member of the Klingon Defense Force in an effort to defuse the current diplomatic stalemate.
Loss of communications with Achilles Class USS Archer, assigned to investigate loss of civilian ship CS Horizon near Gamma Hydra.
Jamming Cruiser USS Richard Nixon (Class ship) launched from Utopia Planitia Fleet Yards. USS Fox Mulder and USS Dana Scully are currently under construction.
Text of Message Received from Starfleet Monitor Station At Delta Quadrant End of Durandal Wormhole:
Contact established with First Maje Jabin of Kazon Ogla Sect. Humanitarian assistance offered to Kazon has resulted in cordial conversations, and a promise of more in the future. Kazon are suffering from lack of water and natural resources. Pirates are also preying on Kazon ships.
Ambasaador Endara Khan
USS Exeter
Delta Quadrant
What is Fantasy Trek?
The Only 'Star Trek: The Experience' You Can Still Experience
http://fantasytrek.blogspot.com
Friday, October 3, 2008
Federation Fast (Penetration) Cruiser Text STD
This is a text STD for a Federation Fast (Penetration) Cruiser. The first ship is the USS Blalock. It again starts with a basic frigate template. Shields are basic, except for a little extra to forward and aft, along with heavy hull protection to all arcs. It has a single ECM generator, designed to make it stealthy, and two plasma torpedo launchers (in case the stealth doesn't work). It is designed to quickly penetrate to a difficult location, fighting its way in, as the name suggests. One trade off though. To pay for two plasmas, there are no repar facilities, and five boarding parties, pretty much intended for just emergency defense.
FEDERATION FAST (PENETRATION) CRUISER
SHIELD GENERATORS 1 2 3 4 5 (1 IN 10 NEEDED)
DORSAL SHIELDS: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
VENTRAL SHIELDS: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
PORT SHIELDS: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
STARBOARD SHIELDS: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
FORE SHIELDS: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22
AFT SHIELDS: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22
Hull
Fore 1 2 3 4
Aft 1 2 3 4
Port 1 2 3 4
Starboard 1 2 3 4
Dorsal 1 2 3 4
Ventral 1 2 3 4
INTERNALS
Bridge 1
Aux Bridge 1
Sensors 1 2
Phaser 1 2
Plasma Torpedo Forward 1
Plasma Torpedo Aft 1
Impulse 1 2
ECM Generator 1
Batteries 1 2
Warp 1 2
Boarding Parties 1 2 3 4 5
Internal Damage Chart
Roll 1 dice
1=Bridge/Auxiliary Bridge
2=Sensors/ECM Generator
4=Impulse/Plasma forward/Plasma aft
5=Batteries
6=Warp Core
If you roll a number for a system that is already destroyed, you roll again.
What is Fantasy Trek?
The Only 'Star Trek: The Experience' You Can Still Experience
http://fantasytrek.blogspot.com/
FEDERATION FAST (PENETRATION) CRUISER
SHIELD GENERATORS 1 2 3 4 5 (1 IN 10 NEEDED)
DORSAL SHIELDS: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
VENTRAL SHIELDS: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
PORT SHIELDS: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
STARBOARD SHIELDS: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
FORE SHIELDS: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22
AFT SHIELDS: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22
Hull
Fore 1 2 3 4
Aft 1 2 3 4
Port 1 2 3 4
Starboard 1 2 3 4
Dorsal 1 2 3 4
Ventral 1 2 3 4
INTERNALS
Bridge 1
Aux Bridge 1
Sensors 1 2
Phaser 1 2
Plasma Torpedo Forward 1
Plasma Torpedo Aft 1
Impulse 1 2
ECM Generator 1
Batteries 1 2
Warp 1 2
Boarding Parties 1 2 3 4 5
Internal Damage Chart
Roll 1 dice
1=Bridge/Auxiliary Bridge
2=Sensors/ECM Generator
4=Impulse/Plasma forward/Plasma aft
5=Batteries
6=Warp Core
If you roll a number for a system that is already destroyed, you roll again.
What is Fantasy Trek?
The Only 'Star Trek: The Experience' You Can Still Experience
http://fantasytrek.blogspot.com/
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